Friday, August 3, 2012

Canada, Halifax, N.S., 8/2/12

Canada, Halifax, N.S., 8/3/12: On the Road Again Friday Aug. 3 by divided highway to Halifax. Yesterday O'Henry, our GPS, took us on back roads to the campground. Did I mention how much of a drop off there is on the edge of the road!!!!! Glad our RV is a van, not a Class C which is wider. As another traveler said, it is nice to go back roads and see the countryside, but divided highways are appreciated too.

Kept seeing signs "Sanding only the next km." Finally realized it refers to sanding the roads in the winter. Possibly no salt???

Saw a sign for a business "Swoon." Across the street a business called "Bloom.". Just thought kinda neat.

Another interesting observation I didn't share earlier. In New Brunswick saw a lot of clothes on the line drying. That warmed my soul cause I love hang sheets on the line. (Used to hang out everything.)

We are entering the Citadel, a fortress built from 1826 to 1856. Now guarded by the 78th Highlanders. Britain founded Halifax in 1749 to counter French Louisburg.

The entry to the Citadel, dry ditch, not filled with water. Halifax lived with war for 200 years. France and Britain fought to control North America using Nova Scotia as a base.

A regiment going through drills.

Demonstration of firing the gun. We took a tour with this Highlander.

Noon firing of the cannon is a tradition occurring every da y except Christmas. Here they are moving the cannon aligning it with the target.

This Highlander is holding the pin that will pierce the gunpowder.

They were eager to pose for all.

Signal flag to inform merchants what ship is coming in today.

Bagpiper and drummer.

Barrels hold 100 pounds of gun powder.

No metal in the Expense Magazine where 1/4 million pounds of gunpowder was stored. Anyone working in this room would wear uniforms with NO metal buttons and felt booties, not boots. Prevention to sparks happening.

Uniform worn by Highlanders in WW I.

Lunch at Purdy Wharf. A marionette performing.

Lots of activities.

At the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Lens from Sambo lighthouse in Halifax, oldest surviving lighthouse in North and South America. It was built in 1758.

Birchbark canoe used in 1890 by Indians to hunt porpoise. Length 15' 5"

Model of Sheer Legs used when lifting and installing masts, used in 18th century. It was human powered. It was demolished in 1818.

Learned a lot about laying of cable from England to Canada. This is a hook used to snag broken cables.

Ship used to repair cables. When Titanic when down this and another Halifax cable repair ship were called into action.

The ship Montmagny was also called into action. As Paul Harvey would says...we learned the rest of the Titanic story, about the retrieval of those who died, burying them in Halifax or at sea.

Not the icebergs that the Titanic were near, but still able to grasp the enormity of icebergs.

Actual deck chair from the Titanic. We happened upon a tour given about behind the scene stories about many exhibits. So interestingly done by a college student.

Figureheads of the sea were thought to be a symbolic and protective spirit and the guarding eyes of the vessel.

Don't have photos but was awed by the crash in Halifax on Dec. 6, 1917. It was the largest explosion before the atomic bomb. Two ship collided, one carrying lots of potentially explosive cargo. 2,000 people died, many townspeople as well as those on the ships.

We didn't notice this guy when we went into the Museum. This is what happens to capture & convicted pirates. After they are hung (& die) the body is tarred and burned as a warning to others.

St. Mary's Basilica. Construction started in 1820.

We are staying at Halifax Walmart. It is amazing to see the fog rolling down the hills.
Location:Halifax, Nova Scotia